Dhruv Jurel struck an unbeaten 115 before India grabbed two quick wickets to leave Sri Lanka in deep trouble at 8/2 at stumps on the second day of the second Test in Colombo on Monday. India declared their first innings at a formidable 503/9 after Jurel completed his second Test hundred and combined effectively with the lower order. Sri Lanka then endured a disastrous start to their reply, losing Lahiru Udara and nightwatchman Prabath Jayasuriya inside three overs.
Debutant Kamil Mishara was unbeaten on five at the close, with Sri Lanka still trailing India by 495 runs. Jurel, who resumed the day on 13, displayed patience and control during his unbeaten knock. He reached his century from 171 deliveries with nine fours before shifting gears and hitting two sixes as India pushed beyond 500. The wicketkeeper-batter eventually finished on 115 not out, adding another significant innings after scoring a half-century in the opening Test.
Jurel, Pant build India's advantage
India began the second day at 300/5 and lost Saransh Jain for six, but Jurel found an attacking partner in Rishabh Pant as the pair seized control of proceedings. Pant and Jurel put together 112 runs for the seventh wicket, only the second century partnership for the seventh wicket or lower by India in a Test in Sri Lanka.
Pant mixed caution with his customary aggression and struck 69 from 89 deliveries before being dismissed by Keshara Nuwantha. His departure did little to halt India's progress as Jurel continued to shepherd the lower order. Manav Suthar contributed 18 before falling to Prabath Jayasuriya, while rain interrupted India's progress and forced an early tea with the visitors on 475/8.
Jurel had reached 95 by then and had to wait through the weather interruption before resuming his pursuit of three figures. He spent 13 deliveries on 99 before scrambling through for the single that completed his hundred. After reaching the landmark, Jurel opened up, striking Asitha Fernando for two sixes. Mohammed Siraj made three from 29 deliveries before Jayasuriya dismissed him. Prasidh Krishna remained unbeaten on four as India declared at 503/9. Asitha was Sri Lanka's most successful bowler, finishing with figures of 4/106.
Sri Lanka stumble immediately
Sri Lanka's task became considerably more difficult almost as soon as their first innings began. Prasidh provided India with the early breakthrough when Lahiru Udara edged a delivery to Yashasvi Jaiswal at third slip for one, leaving the hosts at 1/1.
With fading light forcing India to turn to spin, Suthar struck by trapping Jayasuriya leg-before for two. Sri Lanka slipped to 8/2 before play ended, completing a dominant day for the visitors. India's imposing total had been built on Devdutt Padikkal's 117 on the opening day, with captain Shubman Gill also contributing a half-century before Jurel and Pant strengthened the visitors' position on Monday. With Sri Lanka 495 runs behind and already two wickets down, India will begin the third day with a commanding opportunity to tighten their grip on the second Test.
Brief scores: India 503/9 declared (Devdutt Padikkal 117, Dhruv Jurel 115 not out; Asitha Fernando 4/106); Sri Lanka 8/2 (Kamil Mishara 5 not out; Prasidh Krishna 1/1).